Method and machine tool for changing tools

Abstract

A machine magazine to receive a plurality of tools that can be moved in a first transport direction is associated with a machine tool. Also provided is a changing magazine to receive a plurality of tools that can be moved in a second transport direction, which tools are to be inserted into or removed from the machine magazine. A transfer apparatus for changing tools between the machine magazine and the changing magazine is also provided. In the machine tool, the first and the second transport directions are opposite to one another. A method for tool changing that is implemented on the machine tool is also described.

We claim: 
     
       1. A machine tool, comprising: a machine magazine that receives a plurality of tools and that selectively moves said tools in a first transport direction;   a changing magazine that receives a plurality of tools and that selectively moves said tools in a second transport direction opposite to said first transport direction, which tools are to be inserted into or removed from said machine magazine; and   at least one transfer apparatus that changes tools between said machine magazine and said changing magazine;   wherein said transfer apparatus includes magazine switches that are moved to selectively connect each of the left side and the right side of the machine magazine and the changing magazine, such that the machine magazine and the changing magazine are thereby connected in series during tool changing to permit sequential movement of tools from said machine magazine to said transfer apparatus to said changing magazine, and vice versa.   
     
     
       2. A machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the machine magazine and the changing magazine are adapted to alternately move in stepwise fashion. 
     
     
       3. A machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the machine magazine and the changing magazine are adapted for simultaneous movement. 
     
     
       4. A machine tool according to claim 3, wherein said transfer apparatus includes two tool changers that simultaneously transfer tools, respectively, from said machine magazine to said changing magazine, and vice versa. 
     
     
       5. A method for changing tools between a machine magazine associated with a machine tool and a changing magazine, comprising: moving a machine magazine with a plurality of tools in a first transport direction;   moving a changing magazine, which is adapted to transfer tools between the changing magazine and the machine magazine, in a second transport direction;   moving the tools in the machine magazine and the changing magazine in opposite directions; and   changing the tools between the machine magazine and the changing magazine by connecting the machine magazine and the changing magazine in series, and moving the tools in the machine magazine and the changing magazine simultaneously but in the opposite directions, such that a queue of tools runs from the machine magazine into the changing magazine and vice versa.   
     
     
       6. A method for changing tools between a machine magazine associated with a machine tool and a changing magazine using a transfer apparatus, comprising: moving a machine magazine with a plurality of tools in a first transport direction;   moving a changing magazine with at least one tool in a second transport direction;   moving the tools in the machine magazine and the changing magazine in opposite directions; and   changing the tools with the transfer apparatus between the machine magazine and the changing magazine by connecting the machine magazine and the transfer apparatus and the changing magazine in series to permit sequential transfer of tools between the machine magazine and the transfer apparatus, and between the transfer apparatus and the changing magazine, and by moving the tools in the machine magazine and the changing magazine in opposite directions.